The sensitive singer-songwriter admitted he had mixed feelings about his upcoming new record and he had to be 're-energised' to get back his excitement

Ed Sheeran has admitted he couldn't stop falling "in and out of love".

Unfortunately he's not opening up about his love life - the singer is talking about his upcoming new album.

The follow-up to 2012's + will be released later this year and the Lego House star admitted he struggled to stay motivated earlier in the sessions.

Speaking to Zane Lowe on Radio 1, he revealed it took the guidance of superstar producer Rick Rubin to reinvigorate his interest in the new album.

He said: "It was one of these things that I fell in and out of love with. He re-energised me to be excited about the album again."

Ed benefited from fresh ears, as the tracks were moulded to have a great "live vibe" without sacrificing his talent as a songwriter.

He added: "[It was] coming at the songs from a different direction and making sure they had the live vibe as well as the actual song craft."

The star has been enjoying a break in the US over the last year, and he thinks it will help his second album become a success back home in the UK.

Ed explained: "I think if I'd have come back with a second record instantly, there wouldn't have been any excitement.

"Although it was important to give myself a break I think it was also important to give the public a break as well ... I had to put down the ground work there that I put down in England as well and it gave me time to really write a good second record."